Dispensing comb apparatus having removable dispensing means



June 16, 1964 JONES 3,137,305

DISPENSING COMB APPARATUS HAVING REMOVABLE DISPENSING MEANS Filed Sept. 7, 1960 2 Sheets-Sheet 1 INVENIOR ALFRED H. JONES Mal ATTORNEYS June 16, 1964 A. H. JONES 3,137,305

DISPENSING COMB APPARATUS HAVING REMOVABLE DISPENSING MEANS Filed Sept. 7, 1960 v 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 I 90 14. 93 15' 55 I03 I I I v I6, Ti

FIG. I! /3' I05 V I V 32 Z FIG. :2 no. l3

INVENTOR ALFRED H. JONES ATTORNEYS United States Patent 3,137,305 DISPENSENG COMB APPARATUS HAVING REMQVABIIE DISPENSING MEANS Alfred H. Jones, 1816 Cornell St., Orlando, Fla.

Filed Sept.'7, 196i), Ser. No. 54,464 v 2 Claims. (Cl. 132-116) The present invention relates to a new and novel dispensing comb apparatus and more particularly to thetype of apparatus which may be employed both in combing a persons hair and also to dispense hairdressing liquid to the hair. g I

In this type of apparatus, the device is employed in a conventional manner as a comb for combing the In addition, dispensing means is provided integralwith the device, and means is incorporated for selectively dispensing hairdressing liquid fromthe device while combing the hair thereby providing a uniform distribution of the hair dressing liquid through the hair and also simultaneously combing the hair. This dual function obviously eliminates the necessity of -separately'dispensing hair dressing to the hair and enables the hair dressing to be dispensed with a minimum of effort, and further does not necessitate placing the dressing upon the hands which,

of course, requires that the personshand be washed after each application of hair dressing. r

The apparatus includes a body means having conven tional teeth formed thereon as is generally'employed'for combing hair, and in addition, openings are provided in the body means through which suitable hair dressing liquid may be dispensed. A collapsible dispensing means is provided within a suitable cavity in the apparatus and means is incorporated for selectively collapsing the dispensing means to eject thehair dressing liquidfrom the dispensingmeans. i

With this type'of arrangement, it is firstly desirable to provide a means for selectively and positivelysealing the openings provided through the body means for dispensing the liquid such that these openings may be sealed to pre vent my leakage outwardly of the apparatus'whereby the Anobject of'the present invention is to provide a new and novel dispensing comb apparatus which is adapted to serve the'dual function of a conventional comb-andja dispenser for dispensing liquid hair dressing. Another object of th e'invention is the provision of dispens'ing comb apparatus including means for positively closing and sealing the dispensing openings provided through the body means'and to provide a neat external appearance. a

-A further object of theinvention is to provide dispensing comb apparatus including means for sealing" and pofsitioning thedispensin'g means withrespect to-the body {means such that no leakageoccurs into the storage cavity of gthe body means'within which the dispe'nsing 'meansis.

disposed, thereby preventing leakage of the hairdressing liquid into the cavity, and to further provide anarran-gementwhereby the hair dressing liquid can be eifectiv'el'y dispensed through the openings formed in the bodymeans. Still another object ofthe invention' is to provide dispensing comb apparatus which is quite simple and ine'x eient in operation.

pensive-in construction, and yet which is; sturdy and" em i 7 Other objects and many attendant advantages -will"be i "come more apparent when considered inv connection with the specificationiand' accompanying drawings, wherein? FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a first modification a'ccordingto'the present invention; I 1

FIG. 2 is an elevation view partly broken away of the apparatus shown in FIG. 1;

FIG. 3 is a sectional view taken alongline.33 of FIG. 2; looking lathe direction of the arrows} 5 FIG. 4 is a broken away view illustrating on xendportion of theapparatus;

FIG; 5 is an end view of the device shown in FIG. 2; FIG. 6' is at-sectional view taken along line 6-6IOf'FIG.

2 looking in the direction of. the arrows; FIG. 7 is a sectionalviewtaken alongthe 'same zline as FIG; 6, with the 'clip-on cover means removed; l

' vFIG. 8 is. a sectional'view take'nalong line 88 o f F IG device may beemployed solely as a comb without dis- I pensing any hairdressing liquid whatsoever. This is ac-- complished in the present invention by providing a clip-on cover which is adapted to be snapped into operative position and positively seal the dispensing openings in the body means.

The clip-on cover'is particularly constructed and ary ranged such that when in operative'sealing position on-the body means, the cover serves to-providea neat and attractive external appearance to the overall arrangement. This is, of course, important since the clip-on cover'willnor- L7 mally be in operative position on the body means while the device is used simply as a comb and will only be removed while dispensing hair dressing liquid .fromthe ap' The dispensing means itself isprovided .with a dispens-, 1

vcharacters designate :eor'r'esponding-parts throughouhthe paratus.

ing nozzle through which the hair dressing liquid is ejected and removable cover islprovided for closing the cavitywithin which the dispensing means is disposed; An elongated slot is provided which-providescommunication- 2 looking in the direction of the arrows;

FIG. -9 is a perspective view of a second modification "according to'the' present invention;

' FIG. 10 is an elevationpartly broken away viceshown in FIG49 v 'f '1' I FIG-J11 is a'Jsectional view taken along. line 1 11'-1: of

of the do "of FIG-l0 looking in the direction ofgthe arrows; 7

FIG. 15 is a view takenalong thesam line as v 14 with the clipon covermeans removedtand. Q

FIG. -16.is"alsectipnakview taken along Referring now tothe drawings wherein like reference several= views, a first modification of the inventionis illusbetween the interior of the cavity and the exterior of the device. Accordingly, in order to preventeany liquidfrom trated in FIGS 1'8 -of the; drawings, and as seen most clearly iniFIGS'. land 2, 'a body means 10xisa provided, thejbody means being formed of a'suitablelight-weight material such .asxplastic or the like which alsohas-suillcient. rigidity *for "withstanding the forces normally applied to a combfwhen in use.

-A first plurality of'teeth indicatedrgenerally refer- 'ence numeral Ilis formed integral with thebody means no liquid can leak into the cavity between the nojzzleand the body means, thereby elfectively preventing the escape of any liquid through the-slot which is in communication with thecavity. The nozzle, however, is in communism tion with the dispensing openings through a passage; means which is formed in the body means. i

and :extends outwardly. therefrom," the teeth spacedFfrorn; one another. as is" conventiona combs; A18 formedintegral jwith' fandfleiit'ehdingfout' 'wardlyfromgthebodymeans are -a second pllurality of; teeth 12 whicharejspajced from one another bya'dis; 7 V tanc'e substantially greater th a'n the plurality oftee'th 11, 4

1ine.16.1 6 iofFIG. l0 looking'in the direction of the, arrows. v

in" most the teeth 12 being so spaced in order to permit dispensing I of a hair dressing liquid as will hereinafter appear.

As seen particularly in FIGS. 2 and 3, body means is provided with a cavity 15 therewithin, the cavity opening through one side face 16 of the body means, and a recessed portion 17 being also formed in side face 16 and communicating with the cavity 15. A cover means 20 is provided for closing the open side of cavity 15, the

cover means being substantially rectangular in shape to completely fill the rectangular opening at one side of the cavity 15. Cover 20 is provided with a central lip 21 extending along one end thereof, this lip fitting within a corresponding groove 22 formed in the body means. In addition, the opposite end of the cover is provided with a groove 24 which extends along the edge thereof, this groove receiving a lip 25 which extends along the adjacent surface of the recess 17. It is evident that by interlocking the lips and grooves 21, 22 and 24, 25 by snapping the cover member into the operative position shown, the cover 20 will be retained in its operative position in overlying relationship to the open side of the cavity.

Cover 20 is provided with an elongated slot which extends longitudinally of the cover member 20 and is spaced from the ends thereof. A control or pressure member comprises a main body portion 31 having a configuration such as to fit rather snugly within the rectangular cavity 15 whereby the body portion 31 may be pushed longitudinally along the length of the cavity. Main body portion 31 is connected with a reduced shank portion 32 which is slidably fitted within groove 30, and an enlarged disc-like portion 33 is secured to the outer end of shank portion 32, portion 33 serving as a hand grip portion which can be manually grasped for actuating the pressure member.

The body means is provided with a bore portion 35 which may be substantially cylindrical, this bore portion 35 communicating with the interior of cavity 15. A passage 36 is also formed in the body means, this passage communicating with the central portion of bore 35 and being of reduced diameter thereby providing a shoulder or seat portion 37.

A dispensing means indicated generally by reference numeral 40 comprises a hollow collapsible flexible member which. may be formed of any suitable material such as a light-weight metal, plastic or even a heavy-duty paper, the dispensing means 40 being formed as a bellows member, this bellows construction permitting the dispensing means to be readily collapsed as the pressure member is moved to the right as seen in FIGS. 2 and 3, whereby haid dressing liquid which is normally disposed within the dispensing means will be ejected through an open nozzle 41 provided at one end of the dispensing means. As seen in FIG. 8, the cross-sectional configuration of the bellows member 40 is substantially circular, and a suitable hair dressing liquid 45 is disposed within the dispensing member 40. It will, of course, be evident that dispensing member 40 should be waterproof in order to prevent leakage of the hair dressing liquid through the walls of the dispensing means itself. Y

As seen particularly in FIGS. 2 and 3, the end portion of the dispensing means opposite to the nozzle will, of course, be closed, and the nozzle portion 41 has a slightly tapered configuration, an annular flange being formed A are adapted to fit snugly against the portions 65 about the nozzle 41. This annular flange 50 is provided as plastic or the like which can be slightly deformed where- I by the flange 50 is adapted to snap within the annular groove 51 formed in the body means. In this manner, the

if it were not for this type of a seal, some of the hair dressing liquid which is dispensed under pressure might well leak into the cavity and thence outwardly through the slot 30 in the cover 20 to cause hair dressingliquid to possibly damage adjacent clothing and the like.

Passage 36 as seen in FIG. 2 curves downwardly at portion 55 and thence extends longitudinally of the body means throughout the portion 56 of the passage. Openings 58 are provided between adjacent teeth 12' of the.

plurality of teeth 12. It is accordingly evident that when hair dressing liquid is dispensed through nozzle 41, the dispensed liquid will be transmitted through the passage portions 55 and 56 to the openings 58 provided between teeth 12'.

As shown in FIGS. 2, 5 and 6, a clip-on cover indicated generally by reference numeral 60 is provided for normally closing the openings 58 provided between the teeth 12'. As seen especially in FIG. 2, each of the openings 58 has a downwardly and outwardly tapered conical-like shape, and the bottom wall 61 of the clip-on cover 60 is provided with complementary shaped conicallike projections 62 which extend upwardly and fit tightly within the bottom portions of the openings 58. Accordingly, when the clip-on cover is in operative sealing position as seen in FIG. 2, the projections 62 tightly fit within and effectively seal the openings 58 to prevent any liquid As seen from passing outwardly through the openings. particularly in FIGS. 5 and 6, the bottom wall 61 of the clip-on cover is joined with an upwardly and outwardly extending side wall portion 65 which in turn in joined 1 with a vertically extending side wall portion 66, the

upper end of side wall 66 terminating in inwardly extending leg portions 67. The body means of the appa ratus is provided with corresponding recesses at opposite sides thereof which snugly receive the portions 65, 66 and 67 of the clip-on cover such that when the clip-on cover is disposed in operative position, the outer surfaces thereof will be disposed substantially flush with the adja cent outer surfaces of the body means.

The clip-on cover 60 is formed of a flexible or resilient material such as plastic or the like, whereby the portions 65 and 66 and 67 thereof may be bent outwardly away from the body means to permit the cover to be completely slipped off of the body means. When the clip-on cover is removed from the body means as seen in FIG. 7, it will be evident that the lower conical portions of the openings 58 are completely open, and furthermore, the recessed portions 70 which receive portions 66 and 67 of the cover are clearly visible. It is evident that the wall portions 71 of the body means of the cover means as previously described. When the clip-on cover is removed as shown in FIGS 4 and 7, any liquid dispensed through the nozzle 41 of the dispensing means will pass through passage portions 55 and 56 and thence outwardly through the openings 58. To provide a uniform and effective distribution of the hair dressing liquid throughout a persons hair, the comb apparatus may be passed through the hair in a conventional manner while such liquid is dispensed through the openings between the teeth thereof, and in this manner, the hair dressing is applied in a-very neat manner with out the necessity of touchingrthe hair dressing liquid with the hands. 1 Referring now to the modification shown in FIGS,

9-16, a body means 10 is provided which has a slightly ditferenrconfiguration than that shown in FIG. 1. In

this case, the body means'includes reduced portions at opposite ends thereofand an enlarged portion 80 is provided within which the cavity means is formed. A first plurality of teetli'l'l" are provided similar to the teeth 11 shown in FIG. 1, and further, a second plurality of teeth 12" are 'spa cedfrolm one another and also are formed similar tothe teeth l z shown in FIG. 1.

A cavity 15' is provided the enlarged body portion 80, this'cavity differing somewhat from that shown in the previous mgo dification in that the cavity opens through the upper surface of thebody means rather than through a side surface thereof as in the previous modification. i

An elongated slot 30" is provided through the side wall portion'81 of the enlargedcbody .portion'80, and a control or pressure member identical with that previously described is provided. The pressure member includes a" main body portion 31 which fits snugly within the cavity 15, a shank portion 32' fitting through the elongated slot 36) and being connected with an enlarged disc-like portion 33 which is, of course, adapted to be manually grasped for moving the pressure member reciprocably Q within the body means. 7

A cover member 85 is provided for closing the upper portion of the cavity, the cover member also fitting Within a recess 86 formed within the body means adjacent one end of the cavity. Cover member 85 is proportion 92 at the opposite end thereof which fits within a groove 93 formed in the body means. Here again, the cover member is formed of plastic or a similar substance such that it is adapted to be snapped into position as seen in FIG. 10 for example in overlying realtion with respect to the cavity 15'. A dispensing means 40 is provided which may bein all respects identical with the dispensing means 40 previously described, the dispensing means being provided with a tapered nozzle 41" and having a rounded peripheral flange disposed therearound adjacent the nozzle 41; The manner in which the nozzle portion is locked into and sealed with respect i t i The, end portion 165 of the body meansin'this modificm which fit snugly within theopenings 58 provided in the body means for sealing'the openings when the cover'is in operative position as shown.

7, The bottom 'wall' 110f the cuppa-gove n formed in; y tegral with vertically extending'side wall portions 106 whichfit snugly up against the adjacent side walls of the body means portion'1'05. Upwardly extending wall s 1(l6 terminate in laterally'extending legs 107 which are dis posed within suitablerecess vportions 108 provided in the bod'y portion. 105. "It is apparent that theclip-oncover serves the same function as the clip-on cover 60'pre viously described. a y

It is apparent from the foregoing that there is provided a new and novel apparatus which serves both .asa conventional comb and furtheras. a devicefor dispensing hair dressing liquid tlirectlyinto the hair. In each modification of the invention, a vclip-on cover means isprovided for positively closing and sealing the openings be:

tween the teeth of the apparatus such thatno undesired leakage outwardly through these openings occurs while using the device solely as a comb. This clip-on'cover means is also particularly designed to providean attractive external appearance to the apparatus whendisposed in operative position thereon. In each. modification, means isprovided for positivelypositioning theldispenser means iwithin-the cavity'ofthebody means, and to provide an'elfective seal between the nozzle of the dispensing means and the body means to prevent any leakage of the dispensedliquid'into the cavity offtheqapparatus. The

structural arrangement. is quite simple and inexpensive and yet the device is quite sturdyand reliable in operation.

As this'invention may be embodied in several forms without departing from the spirit or essential characto the body means is slightly different in the modification presently under discussion, and the details of this construction may be most clearly understood by reference to FIG. 12. p

As seen in FIG. 12, passage means55 and 56 is provided as in the previous modification which in turn communicates with openings 58' formed between the spaced teeth 12" formed at one end of the body means. A tapered seat 100 is formed adjacent the passage portion 55' which is adapted to snugly receive and is'complementary to the tapered nozzle 41. The body means is provided with a semicylindrical groove portion 101 which is adapted to receive the bottom half of the rounded annular flange portion 50, and a semicylindrical groove portion 102 is provided in the under surface of the downwardly extending portion 103 of the covermember 85. It is evident that these two semicylindrical groove portions are adapted to cooperate with one another such that when the cover member is disposed in the operative position shown, the annular flange portion50' will be received within the cooperating groove portions. Furthermore, the lefthand surfaces of the groove portions 101 and 102 as seen in FIG. 12 are rounded so as to fit against the rounded flange 50 formed in the dispensing jections fitting withinone'of said openings in said body i means when the cover means is disposed in operative. posi-, tion relative to the body means.

means. With this construction, when the covermeans is placed in its operative position, the flange portion 50 will be urged to the position shown in FIG. 12 thereby wedging the tapered nozzle 41 into the tapered seat 100 formed on the body means. Accordingly, a very tight and effective seal will be obtained between the tapered seat 100, and the tapered nozzle 41' thereby preventing any possible leakage from the discharge nozzle backinto the cavity 15' formed in the body means.

teristicsthereof, the present embodiment is therefore illustrative and notrestrictive, and since the scope of the invention is defined by the appended claims, all changes that fall within the metes and bounds of the claims or that form their functional as well as conjointly cooperative equivalents are therefore-intended to be embraced by those b claims.

I claim:

1. Dispensing comb apparatus comprising a body means having a cavity formed therein, a plurality ofspaced teeth attached to said body means and extending therefrom, said body means having a plurality. of openings formed therein, said openings being'formed between said t'eeth; said I body meanshaving passage" means formed therein pro viding communication between said cavity and said openings, removable dispensing means disposed within said cavity and including a dispensing nozzle formed at one plurality of-projections formedthereonjeach of said pro- :2. Dispensing comb apparatus comprising body means,

' aplurality of teeth extending from said body'nieans, said I 7 body means having a plurality of openingsformed therein, said openingsbeingformed between adjacent teeth atone end portion of the body means, said body means having" a storagecavity formed therein, a flexible collapsible hollow "dispensing means removably disposed within said cavity and having a taperednozzle formed atone end portionthereof, means having-.acornplementaryshape for a engaging 'sai d nozzle and retaining the nozzle in fsealed p d relationship with respect to said body eans, a movable control pressure member movably positioned within said cavity and engaging the opposite end portion of said dispensing means whereby upon movement of the pressure member, the dispensing means may be collapsed to eject material within the dispensing means outwardly through the nozzle thereof, said body means having passage means formed therein providing communication between said openings and said cavity and nozzle when disposed in operative position whereby material ejected through said nozzle will be transmitted to said openings in the body means, said dispensing comb apparatus also including a separate removable cover means having a plurality of projections and slots formed therein, each of said projections fitting within one of the openings provided in-the body means for closing and sealing the openings, said slots formed in the cover means receiving certain teeth of said comb.

References Cited in the file of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS Fuston July 20,-1948 Williams Nov. 28, 1950 Collins Oct. 16, 1951 Brauni; Apr. 1, 1952 Von Essen Oct. 20, 1953 Newton Dec. 25, 1956 Sipmann Jan. 29, 1957 FOREIGN PATENTS Italy May 10, 1954 

1. DISPENSING COMB APPARATUS COMPRISING A BODY MEANS HAVING A CAVITY FORMED THEREIN, A PLURALITY OF SPACED TEETH ATTACHED TO SAID BODY MEANS AND EXTENDING THEREFROM, SAID BODY MEANS HAVING A PLURALITY OF OPENINGS FORMED THEREIN, SAID OPENINGS BEING FORMED BETWEEN SAID TEETH, SAID BODY MEANS HAVING PASSAGE MEANS FORMED THEREIN PROVIDING COMMUNICATION BETWEEN SAID CAVITY AND SAID OPENINGS, REMOVABLE DISPENSING MEANS DISPOSED WITHIN SAID CAVITY AND INCLUDING A DISPENSING NOZZLE FORMED AT ONE END THEREOF, MEANS FOR POSITIVELY SEATING AND SEALING SAID NOZZLE WITH RESPECT TO THE SURROUNDING STRUCTURE SUCH THAT THE NOZZLE COMMUNICATES ONLY WITH SAID PASSAGE MEANS, AND CONTROL MEANS ADAPTED TO ENGAGE A PORTION OF SAID DISPENSING MEANS REMOTE FROM SAID NOZZLE FOR DISPENSING MATERIAL FROM SAID DISPENSING MEANS, SAID COMB APPARATUS ALSO INCLUDING A CLIP-ON COVER MEANS HAVING A PLURALITY OF PROJECTIONS FORMED THEREON, EACH OF SAID PROJECTIONS FITTING WITHIN ONE OF SAID OPENINGS IN SAID BODY MEANS WHEN THE COVER MEANS IS DISPOSED IN OPERATIVE POSITION RELATIVE TO THE BODY MEANS. 